Engine penalty for Verstappen

Toro Rosso driver Max Verstappen is set to receive a 10-place grid penalty during Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix after he changed his Renault engine for the sixth time.

Each driver is given an allocation of four engines, but a string of power unit failures has led to Verstappen becoming the third driver after McLaren's Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso to move on to his sixth engine.

Toro Rosso chief race engineer Phil Charles admitted that the grid penalty was a major blow for Verstappen, especially as he will be racing on home soil on Sunday.

"We will need to understand the tyres well and work on a good strategy, especially for Max now, as he will have to pick up a grid penalty for changing his engine," Charles told reporters. "It's a pity, this being his home grand prix, but this is racing and we're looking forward to the challenge."

The 17-year-old, who is currently in 11th place on the Formula 1 standings, will be looking to keep his momentum going after recording a career-best fourth place finish during the last race in Hungary.